Hair cape

ABSTRACT

Presented herein is a protective cape, large enough to completely cover the user&#39;s body, that keeps hair clippings, liquids, chemicals, and other irritants away from the user and the user&#39;s clothing. An opening at the center of the cape fits over the user&#39;s head and is fully adjustable to fit securely around the neck. The cape may be equipped with additional features such as arm openings and a perforated seam for easy removal.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to protective coverings, and more particularly to protective capes especially suited to salon patrons and employees.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many types of protective coverings and garments available to protect one's clothes from the damaging effects of dirt, chemicals, and moisture. In hair care establishments, these garments are most commonly in the form of a cape. Such protective capes are worn by both hairdressers and clients as protection against chemicals and shampoos while shampooing, cutting, or dying a client's hair, For salon clients, the cape also tends to keep irritating hair clippings away from the skin. Traditionally, the capes are comprised of a sheet of fabric or plastic material, which is draped over the client's shoulders and tied or clasped together in the front or back of the client's neck.

[0003] Although prior art capes utilized in salons provide some protection, they still have several deficiencies. First of all, because the capes arc normally re-used, not only might the level of hygiene be compromised, but also soiled capes require both special cleaning as well as valuable storage space while awaiting cleaning. Another deficiency of prior art capes is that many do not provide adequate coverage, so that part of the user's body, as well as their legs, remain uncovered. Thirdly, the enclosure around the neck is oftentimes not very adjustable or comfortable, allowing hair clippings and moisture to fall through, irritating the user's skin and sticking to the user's clothes. Finally, prior art capes are limited in use; because of the manner in which such capes drape over the user's body, any arm movement compromises the protective coverage.

[0004] The present invention offers an alternative construction for a cape that provides greater body coverage, versatility, and improved hygienic level, and is convenient and inexpensive to use both in salons and at home.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is an improved protective cape made of re-usable or disposable, liquid-impermeable material that fully covers the user's body. There is a head opening located at the center of the cape that can be adjusted in a variety of ways to fit snugly and comfortably around the neck of the user. Thus covered, the user is protected from water, chemicals, hair clippings and other irritants. Options for this cape include adding a perforated scam running from the head opening to the outer edge for easy removal, and arm holes, secured in the same manner as the head opening, which increase the functionality of the invention by allowing the user free use of his/her arms without compromising on protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and further features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly understood in the light of the ensuing description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

[0007]FIG. 1 is an elevated view of the cape according to the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an upper view of cape according to the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cape according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention is a cape 10 designed to protect the user's clothing and skin from coming in contact with undesirable materials such as shampoo, hair dye, or cut hair. The cape may be constructed of a liquid impermeable material such as nylon, plastic coated fabric, liquid resistant paper material or any other suitable material and may be designed for either one-time (disposable) or long-term use.

[0011] Cape 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a sheet or material such as described above, with an opening 11 located at the center for fitting over the user's head. The material is precut to a convenient size and shape so that it covers the whole of the user's body when worn. The material for the cape may be rectangular as shown in FIG. 2 or any other shape that will provide complete coverage of the user's body with the option of being large enough to also cover part or all of the user's legs. Head opening 11 is adjustable in some manner so that it may be fitted to each specific user, resulting in a snug and comfortable fit around the user's neck. Means of adjustability are detailed in the description of the preferred embodiments below. The design of the cape allows room for wording, logos, drawings, etc. that can be used as advertising space, identification markings or any other purpose.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention contains an elasticized opening for the head. This might be achieved with an elastic band attached along the edge 12 of opening 11. Such a band would be stretched to slip over the user's head and then relaxed around his/her neck for a snug but comfortable fit. This opening structure provides a sealed cover ensuring that undesirable materials do not leak through.

[0013] Another embodiment involves a non-elastic strap attached along edge 12 of opening 11. Such a strap may be closed around the front or back of the user's neck using a Velcro strip, snap button, or any other kind of fastener or clasp.

[0014] A third embodiment requires a string or strip of plastic to be threaded through edge 12 along the perimeter of head opening 11. The string may then be pulled to adjust opening 11 to the required size.

[0015] A fourth embodiment allows use of an elastic string in the same manner as described above.

[0016] The cape can be easily removed from the user by tearing it off. To this end, the cape can also be designed with a perforated seam 13 along the side where seam 13 extends from head opening 11 down to the extreme edge of the cape. This option may be added to any of the embodiments.

[0017] A further embodiment suggests adding armholes 14 or sleeves to allow freedom of movement throughout the process of cutting, dying, or shampooing the hair. These arm openings 14 may be tightened in any manner such as those described above. This embodiment may be useful for users dying their own hair at home and others who wish to protect their clothes but still need the use of their hands and arms.

[0018] There is the option of enhancing the comfort of opening 11 by adding a cover made of cotton or other soft and flexible material. This cover would be attached in such a fashion that it covers opening 11. This enhancement can be added to any of the embodiments.

[0019] Finally, the present invention in any of its embodiments may be constructed of inexpensive but efficient materials, and may be distributed as a disposable cape. Such a disposable cape may be distributed within do-it-yourself hair dye kits, or used in salons—in place of using a single cape that is worn by every client—for hygienic purposes.

[0020] While the above description contains many specifities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations that are within its scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cape to protect a user's body or his clothes from undesirable contaminants, wherein said cape is made of disposable material including a small opening at the upper end and a large opening at the lower end, wherein the cape covers the user's upper body and said small opening is designed to enable the cape to slip over the user's head and fit around the user's neck.
 2. The cape of claim 1 wherein an elastic band is attached along the small opening edge.
 3. The cape of claim 1 wherein a non elastic strap is attached along the small opening, said strap including attachment means enabling to enlarge or decrease the opening diameter.
 4. The cape of claim 3 wherein said attachment means are Velcro strip.
 5. The cape of claim 3 wherein the attachment means are snap button.
 6. The cape of claim 1 wherein the cape includes a seam which extends from head opening down to the extreme edge of the cape, said seam enabling to tear off the cap after use.
 7. The cape of claim 1 wherein the cape design includes two armholes.
 8. The cape of claim 1 wherein the cape design includes two sleeves.
 9. The cape of claim 1 further including a cover made of soft and flexible material attached to the upper opening.
 10. The cape of claim 1 wherein the cape design includes one of the following: wording, logos or drawings. 